Princess Duanmin returned home, and a month later, the Ye family hung up white banners.
Madam Ye passed away.
Jiang Shumiao went to pay respects with her mother, but she didn't see Ye Jiayao at the mourning hall.
Princess Duanmin looked haggard, but she no longer had the sorrowful and gentle demeanor she had shown at the Duke of Anguo's residence that day. It seemed that she had come to a realization.
She calmly told Xiao Yitang, "It was decided after discussion within the clan. Since the matter hasn't been brought to the public eye, we'll resolve it behind closed doors. Dying of illness is the best solution. After all, as people get older, they're bound to have some ailments."
This result was expected.
Princess Duanmin then looked at Jiang Shumiao, her expression softening, "Thanks to the Princess's mercy, the Ye family was spared from losing face."
She even had the audacity to plead for him; it was truly taking advantage of her.
While no one was watching, Jiang Shumiao secretly nibbled on some snacks, her cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish.
"We're family, no need to be polite."
By all accounts, Jiang Shumiao should call Princess Duanmin "aunt".
Princess Duanmin smiled slightly, then whispered, "Jiayao has been removed from the clan genealogy by the clan leaders."
Seeing that she looked wistful but not particularly sad, Xiao Yitang was secretly relieved. He patted her hand and said, "Everyone has their own destiny. It's good that you can let go. Good days are ahead."
The death of a maidservant directly caused two masters to pay a heavy price.
No one would believe it if I told them.
People are divided into noble and lowly classes. The nobles, who are high and mighty, only look down on the ants and never reflect on their mistakes. In fact, they don't even consider them mistakes.
If it weren't for Jiang Shumiao's intervention and pressure on Ye Wenzhou, those old stories and the remains of the dead would never have seen the light of day.
The things Old Madam Ye did were truly chilling. Coupled with her humble family background, the elders of the clan dealt with her without hesitation. She was practically on her deathbed, yet she was still causing trouble every day, bullying her daughter-in-law and instigating her grandson—a complete troublemaker.
They even wanted to scheme against the Liu family.
Do you really think the Liu family is as easy to manipulate as Duanmin?
Would Ryu Seung-won really let someone plot against his daughter?
joke.
Although the Ye family has been steadily rising in recent years, it is still far behind the truly powerful and influential families.
Even if Liu Yixin hadn't gotten into any trouble at the Ye family that day, the Ye family would have been the ones to suffer the consequences.
The powerful and influential families are arrogant and self-important; the concepts of nobility and social status are ingrained in their very bones.
If Liu Yixin suffers any mishap, and all she has to do is say that she was framed, the Ye family will be finished immediately.
Because this is not just about personal desires.
Rather, it was a provocation from the poor to the noble families.
There are many people who covet Ye Wenzhou's position as Minister of Personnel.
So, when Lan Ying accidentally scared Liu Yixin away that day, she actually saved the Ye family in the end.
However, Liu Yixin was fortunate to escape the turmoil.
Old Madam Ye has been in control of the Ye family for too long, and she has become arrogant. Her past "achievements" have also made her complacent, leading her to believe that she is the only smart person in the world and that everyone else is a fool.
They brought this upon themselves.
However, the Ye family had a heated argument over Ye Jiayao's removal from the list.
After all, he was the legitimate son, and the family valued tradition, always prioritizing seniority and legitimacy. Moreover, all eras have been quite tolerant of men; she was merely a maidservant, and her death was her honor, as the culprit had already paid with his life.
How could we possibly lose another legitimate son?
Ye Wenzhou immediately disagreed.
Most of the other members of the clan also felt that it was excessive.
In the end, Princess Duanmin put aside her own family for the greater good.
“The goddess often says that good deeds are rewarded and evil deeds are punished. Helping the wicked is also evil. If you have a clear conscience, I have nothing to say.”
These words are extremely damaging.
They haven't forgotten how the Yao, Xie, Ruan, and Yu families fell from grace.
Jiang Shumiao doesn't care about social status or wealth; all she cares about is right and wrong, and fairness.
Almost everything she interfered with ended badly.
She's still showing the Ye family some respect, perhaps because Princess Duanmin and her mother are related by blood, and hasn't exposed their past. But if the Ye family continues to protect them, then things might change.
The elders all fell silent.
Kneeling on the ground, Ye Jiayao stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Mother, I am your own flesh and blood! How could you abandon me? It's no wonder you don't love me because I wasn't raised by your side. You only favor my third brother and fifth sister..."
Princess Duanmin raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
Ye Wenzhou was startled.
His wife was gentle and unassuming, especially lenient with their eldest son; this was the first time she had ever laid a hand on him.
He couldn't help but say, "Yi Shu..."
Princess Duanmin glanced around and sneered, "I used to think that harmony in the family would bring prosperity, so I tolerated many things. You all took it for granted that I had no temper, and everyone wanted to kick me while I was down. Even my own son dared to disobey in public. Mother was truly well-mannered, but it's a pity that this wretched child didn't learn filial piety from her. All those years of her teachings were wasted, and she raised such a selfish and ungrateful wretch."
This was the first time she had spoken so sternly, which truly startled everyone.
Ye Jiayao was stunned by the beating.
Princess Duanmin saw resentment in his eyes, and felt even more heartbroken.
"It was my own stupidity to let you two, grandfather and granddaughter, bully and manipulate me. As a member of the imperial family, I married into your Ye family and couldn't even get control over household affairs, which led you to secretly commit murder and exorcism, burying my bones in a dry well. And you still thought of using those underhanded methods to scheme against others—"
She slapped him again, angrily saying, "Fool! You're just as stupid as that old hag. If it weren't for Lan Ying interfering, you would have been crushed by the Liu family long ago, and you're still here smugly gloating."
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